Everything you need to know about iOS 11

Apple’s new software brings in a host of changes with an improved performance for the existing iPhone and iPad

Just after the launch of iPhone8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, Apple will now be rolling out the much awaited iOS11 operating system for iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone. This brings with it significant changes as compared to the predecessor iOS10. Apple’s focus is on making iOS devices work faster than before and there are visual tweaks in order to improve usability and significant new productivity features which will be exclusive to the iPad Pro line up for now.

This update will be available for download from 20th September 2017 10am onwards. The new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X will be preloaded with iOS 11 when you purchase them, the new operating system will be available for download on iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. This means that iPhone 5 and older iPhones will not get the new iOS updates.

iPad users will get the new iOS 11 goodness on the first and second generation of the 12.9 inch iPad Pro, the 10.5 inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the iPad Air 2, iPad Air 1, iPad 5th generation (2017 model), iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3 and iPad mini 2. This means that iPad older than the iPad Mini which is the first generation launched in 2012 and iPad, 4th generation launched in 2012 will not get access to the new iOS anymore.

If you have the latest iPod Touch (6th generation) you will be able to enjoy the latest update with enhancements to the Music app being more relevant.

There are a range of improvements across iOS in the new operating system version, which include performance, interface changes which includes the control center, the ability to drag and drop content between apps and a new option for “do not disturb while driving”. Further, there are subtle tweaks in Apple’s own apps, a more capable Siri virtual assistant, a new File manager app and an enhanced focus on artificial intelligence as well as machine learning. The setup process has been streamlined as well. If you have another device running iOS 11 signed up with your Apple ID, you can place that the device you wish to set up near each other in order to sync preferences, passwords and settings. The new operating system will also support apps built on Apple’s new augmented reality (AR) platform called ARKit. This means the app developers will be able to make AR apps which will use the iPhone’s camera in order to add elements to the real world.

iOS 11 is like two operating systems in one. If you are using it on an iPad Pro, you will be able to take advantage of more space in the app dock, drag and drop content across apps, split view for multiple apps and integrate with cloud services in the Files app. This makes it even more relevant as a productivity device. The update brings with it a new photo and video format, which will take 50% lesser storage space for the same files as compared to iOS 10. This makes the 64GB variants of the new iPhone more enticing. Apple is finally locking out the old apps that still run on the 32 bit architecture.